When studying the history of Baptists, one rarely expects to find a confessional theology or a systematized statement of faith (or, at least, that has been my own experience). I am grateful to Dr. Tom Nettles, though, for manifesting the historical fact that Baptists, indeed, have been known for a systematized, orthodox theology. One area in particular has surprised me greatly, and that is the area of catechisms.
In this day of relativism, and in a time when Baptists are not known for carefully training their children; there was a time when it was customary for Baptists to teach their children using the Baptist Catechism, as written by Benjamin Keach in the 17th century. I have come to the conclusion that it is to our great disadvantage not to catechize children. There is almost no other tool quite as effective as a well formulated catechism for teaching children the basic, yet profound, truths of the Bible in a clear, logical, and easily memorable fashion. Today, there is no lack of people who claim to know Christ, yet know almost nothing of the contents of the Bible or its doctrines, and it seems that the clearly biblical language of a catechism, along with the biblical references for each doctrine, is an effective remedy to such ignorance. If you seek more reason to return to the catechism, read Dr. Nettles's book Teaching Truth, Training Hearts. (As a sidenote, for those who have not been fortunate enough to take a class from him--besides being somewhat brilliant, he does a great imitation of Barney Fife.)
If you have come this far in the post and are not yet bored out of your senses, I do, for your edification, include the entirety of the Baptist Catechism, as printed by the Charleston Association, in 1813.
THE BAPTIST CATECHISM
1. Q. Who is the first and chiefest being?
A. God is the first and chiefest being (Is. 44:6; 48:12; Ps. 97:9).
2. Q. Ought every one to believe there is a God?
A. Everyone ought to believe there is a God (Heb. 11:6); and it is their great sin and folly who do not (Ps. 14:1).
3. Q. How may we know there is a God?
A. The light of nature in man and the works of God plainly declare there is a God (Rom. 1:19,20; Ps. 19:1, 2, 3; Acts 17:24); but his word and Spirit only do it fully and effectually for the salvation of sinners (1 Cor. 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:15,16).
4. Q. What is the word of God?
A. The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, and the only certain rule of faith and obedience (2 Tim. 3:16; Eph. 2:20).
5. Q. May all men make use of the holy scriptures?
A. All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted to read, hear, and understand the holy scriptures (John 5:38; John 17:17,18; Rev.1:3; Acts 8:30).
6. Q. What things are chiefly contained in the holy scriptures?
A. The holy scriptures chiefly contain what man ought to believe concerning God, and what duty God requireth of man (2 Tim. 1:13; 3:15,16).
7. Q. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit (John 4:24), infinite (Job 11:7, 8, 9), eternal (Ps. 110:2), and unchangeable (Jas. 1:17) in his being (Ex. 3:14), wisdom (Ps. 147:5), power (Rev. 4:8), holiness (Rev. 15:4), justice, goodness, and truth (Ex. 34:6).
8. Q. Are there more gods than one?
A. There is but one only, the living and true God (Deut. 6:4; Jer 10:10).
9. Q. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There are three persons in the godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in essence, equal in power and glory (1 John 5:7; Mt. 28:19).
10. Q. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass (Eph. 1:4, 11; Rom. 9:22-23; Is. 46:10; Lam. 3:37).
Click here to continue reading the catechism.
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